The demise of my local camera store
cletus
Registered Users Posts: 1,930 Major grins
Back when I first got into photography 12-14 years ago, Kansas City was home to one of the coolest camera shops on the planet. The lobby area was tiny, maybe 8' x 12'. Even that tiny amount of space was clutered with tripods, camera stands, light stands and camera bags. The refrigerators stored film and the sales peoples' lunches.
When it was you turn at the counter you could ask for almost any piece of photographic equipment or accessory and they would have it in stock. Regular customers would just walk in back, get what they need off the shelf and bring it up to the counter.
All of this made for a good camera store. What moved this store into the great category was the owner. A self described 'fat & ugly' guy who according to rumor was a cross dresser and was known to carry a revolver on him while in the store. On one occasion I was waiting in line and he handed me a handful of dollars and told me to make myself useful and run across the street and buy him a pack of cigarettes. One year I went to the store on the day after Christmas. Although the store should have been open according to the normal hours the door was locked. I knocked on the door and the owner answers it... in a robe with his face covered with green facial mask. He opend up the shop and manned the counter, still wearing the robe and facial mask.
Ahhh, those were the good ol' days. It's not that way anymore. Any time I need a piece of gear I give them a buzz, but they never seem to have anything in stock... even stuff that I would think a quality shop would not be without. I just think that the switch to digital and the 'net have killed them.
I almost wish the shop had closed it's doors three or four years ago. Kind of a 'go out on top' thing.
When it was you turn at the counter you could ask for almost any piece of photographic equipment or accessory and they would have it in stock. Regular customers would just walk in back, get what they need off the shelf and bring it up to the counter.
All of this made for a good camera store. What moved this store into the great category was the owner. A self described 'fat & ugly' guy who according to rumor was a cross dresser and was known to carry a revolver on him while in the store. On one occasion I was waiting in line and he handed me a handful of dollars and told me to make myself useful and run across the street and buy him a pack of cigarettes. One year I went to the store on the day after Christmas. Although the store should have been open according to the normal hours the door was locked. I knocked on the door and the owner answers it... in a robe with his face covered with green facial mask. He opend up the shop and manned the counter, still wearing the robe and facial mask.
Ahhh, those were the good ol' days. It's not that way anymore. Any time I need a piece of gear I give them a buzz, but they never seem to have anything in stock... even stuff that I would think a quality shop would not be without. I just think that the switch to digital and the 'net have killed them.
I almost wish the shop had closed it's doors three or four years ago. Kind of a 'go out on top' thing.
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